Church Use Guidelines

The Warrior Run-Fort Freeland Heritage Society owns

the property, but adheres to the

Pennsylvania Historical Museum Commission

Guidelines

 

COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA
PENNSYLVANIA HISTORICAL AND MUSEUM COMMISSION

William Penn Memorial Museum and Archives Building
Box 1026 Harrisburg, PA 17120

PENNSYLVANIA CODE
TITLE 46, MUSEUMS AND ARCHIVES
CHAPTER 5, Special Provisions
“HISTORIC WARRIOR RUN CHURCH”

Guidelines for Use of the Historic Warrior Run Church

C5.1 Definitions

  1. By contract, the Warrior Run – Fort Freeland Heritage Society is the official owner “Management” organization purchased from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission to oversee the provide program and general operation of the historic Warrior Run Church. A Society representative must be present during all activities scheduled at this edifice.
  2. The purpose of this guideline is to inform all users of Warrior Run Church that it is an historic site protected by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and that any damage or loss may be irreplaceable.  Responsible care of the property must be exercised before, during and after a scheduled event, so that the citizens of the Commonwealth, as well as future generations may enjoy this important site.
  3. A representative of the Warrior Run Fort Freeland Heritage Society will be on the premises to assist you with your event.  His/her main function is to provide security for the historic site and to aid you according to these regulations.

C5.2 Arrangements Prior to Use

  1. Weddings/Events are not scheduled at Warrior Run Church during the cold weather (November 1 to April 1), as the church is unheated.
  2. All requests for the use of the Warrior Run Church or the grounds thereof must be made to the Church Coordinator. Advance planning will avoid scheduling conflicts.  Indicate the date and time that you wish to use the facility.  Wedding/Event rehearsals must also be scheduled.
  3. Persons granted permission to use the facilities must submit a check or money order payable to: WRFFHS.  For weddings/events, a nonrefundable deposit of $100.00 reserves the date of the event, and covers up to a two hour rehearsal. For the day of the event, the Church is rented by the hour, with a minimum of three hours and a maximum of six hours, at $100 per hour. Please be aware time for your florist, photography, organist practice, etc. must occur during the two hour rehearsal or during the time you have paid for your wedding/event. The number of hours desired must be noted on the contract, and paid in full 60 days before the date of the wedding/event. At the end of the time stipulated on the contract, the buildings will be closed and locked.
  4. Individuals or groups using the church building or grounds can make no admission charge for events. Only the Commission or the Warrior Run Fort Freeland Heritage Society is authorized to charge for services rendered.
  5. Cancellations of services should be made at least one week in advance to insure timely refund of fees, excluding the nonrefundable deposit.
  6. Due to daylight limitations, there is a two-hour limit for wedding/event rehearsals.  Rehearsals cannot be planned to run past 8:00 p.m.

C5.3 Conduct at the Historic Site

  1. The occupancy of the Warrior Run Church is restricted to no more than 350 people.  This regulation will be strictly enforced in the interest of public safety.
  2. The windows may be opened and closed only by a trained and authorized person.
  3. Decorations appropriate to this building are flowers (garden and field), evergreens, grains, herbs, or dried weeds.  They may be placed on windowsills, tied to the pews, placed on tables or pulpit, and hung on the doors.  Plants may also be placed on the porch or along the paths. At no time can nails, tacks, or adhesive tape be used to attach items to the Church or its furnishings. Other decorations such as bunting, balloons, streamers or signs cannot be brought onto the property.  All decorations must be removed at the end of the service.
  4. Smoking will not be permitted at any time in the church building or anywhere on the grounds, with the exception of the parking lot.
  5. Candles may be used in the Society’s tin lanterns or hurricane shades.  There is a charge of $20.00 for the use of either.  Candles are provided by the wedding party. Candles must be lit by a Society representative only.  Candelabras or other forms of lighting are not permitted. The oil lamps on the pulpit may not be lit.  Fire extinguishers are available in the rear of the building.
  6. There are no heat or electricity in the church.  A telephone is located at the service building.
  7. Vehicles are to be parked in the lot behind the church.  There will be no parking under the trees or next to the cemetery wall. Violators will be asked to move their vehicles. Handicapped parking spaces are designated at the front of the Church. The bride and her entourage (up to two vehicles) may park at the service building.
  8. Rice, flower petals, or confetti may not be thrown in the church or on the grounds.  Bird seed may be thrown outside the church.

C5.4 Use of the Historic Pump Organ

  1. There is an antique pump organ in the Church.  A list of qualified organists can be obtained from the Church Coordinator. The organ can only be played by a qualified, trained musician.  Approval for the use of the organ must be obtained at the time of the final payment.  Other appropriate musical instruments may be used.  Electronic instruments are not appropriate.
  2. While the choice of music ultimately  rests with bride and groom, it is suggested that religious music, particularly of the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries is most appropriate for weddings/events and other services in the Church.  This music will allow the organ to sound its best and will greatly enhance the ceremony.
  3. It will not be possible to provide practice time for organists or soloists except at the wedding/event rehearsal or the hour preceding the wedding or service.

C5.5 Conduct for Photographers

  1. Photographers and their subjects are permitted to use all interior areas of the Church or grounds. However, it is not permissible to move exhibits or furniture.
  2. No one is allowed to stand on benches, pews, or on top of pulpit.
  3. The photographer may reserve the last pew in the rear of the church for his/her equipment so he/she can move easily about the Church. 

C5.6 History and Significance

  1. The first Warrior Run Church sat on the riverbank at the mouth of the Warrior Run Creek. This was a log church built in 1774 and subsequently burned by the Indians during “The Great Run-away” of 1778.  After the end of the Revolutionary War (1783) the colonists returned to the area and constructed a second log church near the site of old Fort Freeland (1789). This church also burned; cause unknown.  In 1835 the present church was constructed of bricks fired at the nearby Hower-Slote Farm.  A ¾ inch to the foot replica of the second log edifice is on exhibit within the church.
  2. The Warrior Run Church is an important historic and cultural piece of the Commonwealth’s heritage.  It is to be used as a resource and enjoyed by the public.  Proper care of the property must be exercised at all times before, during and after an event at the church. Any damage or loss may be irreplaceable and thereby deny citizens and future generations full enjoyment of this historic site.

NOTE: These regulations are from The Pennsylvania Code, Title 46. Museums and Archives. Chapter 5. Chapters 1, 3 and 7 also apply to this historic site.

For use of the Warrior Run Church, contact

Jane Koch
Phone: 570-538-1756
Email: ejkoch@windstream.net

Rev. 03/2018